Excitement builds for this year’s Scottish International Airshow

Extensive partnership working is underway to ensure this year’s Scottish International Airshow which takes place at the Low Green, Ayr on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd September is even bigger and better than ever before.

In only its fourth year, the free to attend airshow has grown to become a major event with around 180,000 spectators expected over the weekend.

Organisers of the Scottish International Airshow have been working closely with main sponsor South Ayrshire Council and other key partners, including EventScotland, part of VisitScotland’s Events Directorate, to build the event into a family friendly weekend. Not only will spectators be able to witness aerobatic displays of the highest quality, there will be some amazing ground entertainment too.

The fun fair will be back with exhilarating thrills for both young and old. There will be an array of stalls crammed with goodies and stands with all sorts of interesting information. Adding to the mix will be military vehicles and classic cars, and you could even have a go on a state-of-the-art flight simulator. All this and live entertainment will set the scene for a bumper weekend.

The Royal Marines have confirmed they will be back this year. Their exciting demonstration will feature a beach assault with a Type 23 Frigate, speeding inshore patrol craft, offshore raiding boat and a Merlin helicopter!

Breath-taking flying displays are the backbone of the Scottish International Airshow and 2017 will be no different with the return of the world famous Red Arrows, awe inspiring Typhoon Fighter and the hotly anticipated Fighting Falcon flown by the Belgian Airforce.

The airshow has also secured the appearance of one of the most spectacular close formation flying teams in Europe — Team Raven. They will be performing their unique brand of daredevil flying on both the Saturday and the Sunday.

Adding to the already amazing line-up will be the WWII Classic Catalina Flying Boat which wowed the crowds last year — check out http://www.tsia.scot/whats-on/ for the latest announcements or to buy tickets for family, enthusiast or VIP areas.

Councillor Douglas Campbell, Leader South Ayrshire Council said: “A tremendous amount of work takes place behind the scenes to ensure the Scottish International Airshow is a success. Close partnership working is crucial and I am sure these bonds will only get stronger in future years.

“The advantage of an event of this magnitude for the local economy is clear and we are set to encourage even more people into Ayr town centre this year with a pipe band launching proceedings in the High St and further town centre activities to be announced. Hopefully accommodation providers, retailers, restaurants and other businesses across South Ayrshire will feel the benefit.

“The Scottish International Airshow has something for everyone, so even if flying displays are not your thing, come along and enjoy the other entertainment; there really is something for everyone.”

Doug Maclean, Director of Airshow Scotland Ltd who run the Scottish International Airshow said “As we rapidly approach our 4th airshow based in Ayr we really feel that the support from South Ayrshire Council has been a major factor in us continuing to locate this incredible event in Ayr. We have been working since early last year on the 2017 airshow and we are well into planning for 2018 and beyond. We are keen the airshow continues to be supported by the Council and we look forward to sitting down very shortly to secure Ayr as the site for the Scottish International Airshow through to at least 2020.”

Doug continued “We raised our international ambitions last year and are delighted to have secured the Belgian Air Force for the 2017 show. We are close to securing other international teams and believe we are approaching the point where The Scottish International Airshow will become a highly desired date on the international display calendar. The support of all of our private and public sector sponsors is vital to enable us to plan ahead and develop the airshow. We have brought tens of millions of pounds into the Scottish economy and we estimate we can raise that very considerably in a few short years.”

Stuart Turner, Head of EventScotland, said: “We are delighted to be continuing our support of the Scottish International Airshow. Initially supported through our National Programme Fund and now our Beacon Fund, the airshow has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2014.

“Scotland is the perfect stage for events and the thrills of the air displays alongside the entertainment and exhibitions on the ground, will ensure a great weekend out for all the family.”